The Director of MCC Canada says he's grateful for the generosity of Manitobans towards the Lebanese and asks for prayers as the work continues after the devastating blast on August 4.

Over 2,000 lbs of ammonium nitrate exploded on the port, leaving over 250,000 people homeless in a moment, as well as destroying multiple grain bins.

MCC asked for donations at the beginning of August to help people with the aftermath.

Bruce Guenther is the Disaster Response Director for MCC Canada. He says, "We're really thankful for the donations that people have given to MCC. From Manitoba specifically, MCC has received over $77,000 towards the Lebanon response and that money is also matched by the Canadian government."

Seven staff from MCC are on the ground, helping in this situation and also work with many local partners, including some churches in Beirut. 

One of the MCC staff working in Beirut is originally from Winnipeg, Stephanie Dyck. She was just over a kilometre away from the blast, in a grocery store when it happened.

Together, MCC, alongside these other organizations, is helping people who are most vulnerable in Beirut, those who've lost their homes and are having trouble finding their next meal.

"We were able to distribute food in the days following the explosion to over 300 families. Now, with the additional support that has been raised for the MCC response, we're hoping to increase the number of families that we can support in the coming months. We hope to support another 1,000 families."

The money donated, a total of $154,000 with the government match, will go to food needs first.

"In terms of the food response, we have selected a couple of very poor neighbourhoods that are closer to the port. Then we work with other agencies to select the most vulnerable families in those areas." 

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has worked in Lebanon since the '70s. 

"There was already an economic crisis in Lebanon and political crisis" before the explosion. Guenther says, "People were already 'food-insecure' as a result of inflation on basic food items."

There are many aspects of people's lives that have been affected due to this explosion.

"In addition to the food response, MCC is also working on a trauma response. Many people, including children, have been psychologically affected and traumatized by the explosion so that's been a key program area for MCC."

MCC partner Popular Aid for Relief and Development (PARD) provides psychosocial support to children located in a low-income area of Beirut heavily affected by the port explosion. This painting activity was specially designed by a trauma psychologist to reduce stress among children affected by the blast. Some who are pictured are unable to adhere to the country’s COVID-19 health measures due to lack of available physical space or other limiting factors. The children are not named for security reasons. (Photo courtesy of PARD/Sarah Suleiman)MCC partner Popular Aid for Relief and Development (PARD) provides psychosocial support to children located in a low-income area of Beirut heavily affected by the port explosion. This painting activity was specially designed by a trauma psychologist to reduce stress among children affected by the blast. Some who are pictured are unable to adhere to the country’s COVID-19 health measures due to a lack of available physical space or other limiting factors. The children are not named for security reasons. (Photo courtesy of PARD/Sarah Suleiman)

Lebanon recently made the announcement of having to go back into lockdown because of the pandemic, creating additional guidelines to follow.

Guenther says, "I would ask for prayers for our team. Pray for strength, that God would continue to give them courage and energy as they respond. Also, the local organizations that are responding. Lastly, pray for the people affected."

Many of the people left homeless and hungry are refugees, as Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world.

MCC will continue it's work throughout this year, focusing on the most dire needs first.

"I'm really grateful for all the supporters in Manitoba that have supported MCC's response," says Guenther.